Inside the mansion, there was a teleportation magic circle that only a select few inner circle members, including Archmage Duke Offensa, used.

It glowed as it activated after a long time.

As the light faded, a handsome man with light green hair loosely tied and draped over one shoulder slowly opened his eyes.

It was Vice Archmage Marcel.

He politely greeted the man who had come to welcome him.

“It’s been a while, Young Marquis Caiman.”

“Haha, welcome. Vice Archmage Marcel.”

A man with a gentle impression, his pale platinum hair swept back from his forehead.

This was Young Marquis Caiman, who had been quickly filling the sudden vacancy left by Duke Offensa’s collapse.

“How is the head of the family’s condition?”

The Young Marquis asked after exchanging polite greetings.

Worry clouded Marcel’s face.

“Though the magic tower’s finest talents are caring for the Archmage, there hasn’t been any notable improvement.”

“He collapsed right before reaching the 8-star barrier, after all. We can’t burden just the magic tower. Once the family stabilizes, I will take care of the head myself.”

Though his words were gentle, their meaning was clear.

Family stabilization. It meant to acknowledge him as Duke Offensa without any more troublesome processes.

Marcel, who had been lukewarm towards Caiman until now, nodded heavily.

‘We can’t continue with such sentimental stubbornness anymore.’

Caiman was a fallen noble who had been taken in by Duke Offensa.

Though he had talent in magic and even became the Archmage’s disciple, that was the extent of it.

In Marcel’s view, while he might become a talented mage, he was never material for Archmage.

So when he focused on the family rather than the magic tower, Marcel felt rather relieved.

At the time, young Calliphe was struggling after losing her mother, and Caiman had been there to take care of her.

That’s why Marcel kept his distance from Caiman while simultaneously feeling grateful.

“You don’t look well, Vice Archmage. Have you heard the news about Lady Calliphe?”

“Pardon?”

“About how she assaulted a well-respected noble at the banquet… Oh my. You didn’t know.”

At Young Marquis Caiman’s words suggesting he shouldn’t have mentioned it, Marcel let out a low sigh.

Even with her grandfather collapsed, her violent tendencies hadn’t changed.

‘I once thought that child would lead both the family and magic tower.’

He had expected her to become a mage who awakened special abilities, a power that only a select few among those with strong magical power could comprehend.

Just like Calliphe’s mother.

And so, he had believed that someday, she would become the master of the magic tower and the lord he would serve.

‘Now I must let go of such attachments.’

Having made his decision, Marcel spoke.

“There’s no need to cover up her faults anymore, Young Marquis.”

“Ah… but since Lady Calliphe is the direct descendant of House Offensa, not me, how could I, merely the Archmage’s disciple, dare to…”

“An Archmage’s disciple holds a position that even direct descendants cannot treat carelessly.”

At Marcel’s firm words, Young Marquis Caiman showed a peculiar smile.

“Shall we move to another location?”

As he turned around saying this, a sinister smile that had long been lurking appeared on Young Marquis Caiman’s face.

While the two were moving together.

“Hmm?”

A commotion was heard from outside. Looking out the window, they saw a familiar figure.

It was Calliphe.

However…

“Ah, what in the world is she doing?”

Calliphe was beating someone up again!

* * *

“L-Lady Calliphe?”

“I’ve been negligent, Viscount.”

I approached Viscount Colven gracefully.

“I came to observe the lesson today. Don’t feel pressured, just continue as usual.”

“Observe the lesson?”

Viscount Colven tried to smile but seemed dumbfounded. His irritation at why I was doing something so unusual was clearly visible.

I smiled casually.

“I became curious about how the child I’m sponsoring is receiving lessons.”

“I… see.”

“Yes. But I didn’t expect to arrive just as the Viscount was about to strike my child.”

“Th-that’s a misunderstanding.”

He waved his hands lightly while smiling.

“I was just going to pat his back for encouragement. To boost his motivation before the lesson.”

“You were going to encourage him?”

“Of course. Right, Noah?”

He gripped Noah’s shoulder while seeking agreement.

My brows furrowed involuntarily.

Viscount Colven was someone who had been manipulating Noah better than anyone. Noah would probably side with Viscount Colven over me.

If Noah takes the Viscount’s side here, things could get a bit troublesome.

Before I could intervene to avoid seeing that, Noah was faster.

Snap!

“L-Lady Calliphe.”

Noah shook off Viscount Colven and ran to me, clenching both fists. And then.

“That person insulted Lady Calliphe.”

“Huh?”

He straight-up tattled!

And the tattling continued.

“A-and, that person said Lady Calliphe would soon be driven out.”

“Huhh?”

“When I said it wasn’t true, he tried to hit me!”

After rapidly telling on him, Noah pointed at Viscount Colven with a face that had gathered courage.

“P-please fire that person!”

“……!”

What is this emotion right now? Moved? Joy? Love?

I thought he would take Viscount Colven’s side, but for some reason, Noah mercilessly abandoned the Viscount.

Had the Viscount perhaps touched a sore spot with Noah?

“Wh-what nonsensical babbling!”

Viscount Colven shouted urgently.

“My lady, there’s no need to listen. I suppose I’ve been too lenient with the child. I tried to cover up his faults, but to think he would try to pin crimes on me like this.”

“Faults?”

“Do you know?”

Viscount Colven sneered vilely.

“Noah, that child has been secretly stealing your accessories all this time, my lady. Even when I scolded and punished him to stop, he wouldn’t listen.”

His eyes gleamed as he looked at Noah.

“Just now too, I was about to discipline him for stealing your belongings again. If you don’t believe me, let’s check Noah’s pockets.”

“…Alright.”

I immediately grabbed Noah’s shoulder and bent down.

Noah flinched and twisted his shoulder as if wanting to escape.

“I-I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please.”

“Stay still.”

At my cold voice, tears welled up in Noah’s eyes. But his teary eyes soon turned puzzled.

Because I had winked at him slightly, making sure only Noah could see.

“Lady Calliphe…?”

“Found it. Is this what you mean?”

“Yes! That’s exactly the accessory Noah stole from you…?”

Viscount Colven’s confident answer trailed off in confusion.

Because what I pulled out from Noah’s possession wasn’t an earring or necklace, but a rectangular magical tool.

I spoke nonchalantly.

“This is indeed my possession. But this is something I entrusted to Noah. So it wasn’t stolen.”

“What? Th-that can’t be… Search more! There must be stolen items! Noah clearly told me he stole items from you!”

“Want to make a bet?”

“…Pardon?”

“If Noah is the culprit, I’ll take responsibility as his guardian and apologize to the Viscount. But if that’s not the case… you should be prepared.”

The corners of my lips curved upward.

And pressed the button on the magical tool firmly.

* * *

When Marcel and the Young Marquis arrived at Calliphe’s location, the crowd of spectators had already grown.

Not just soldiers who had come to use the training ground, but also servants peering in with curiosity.

Sharp, striking sounds could be heard from inside the training ground.

“What’s all this commotion?”

“Y-Young Marquis.”

The startled servants quickly answered.

“Lady Calliphe is administering punishment.”

“Punishment?”

A sneer appeared on the Young Viscount’s face.

She’s digging her own grave when he would have gotten rid of her anyway. Quickly composing his expression, he spoke to Marcel with apparent concern.

“It seems Lady Calliphe is disciplining her sponsored child again.”

“You call such merciless beating discipline?”

“It seems she’s not satisfied with the sponsored child’s achievements.”

“Such absurd-!”

An angry Marcel pushed through the crowd into the training ground.

“Stop this! Beating a child… huh?”

Marcel’s angry shout suddenly faltered.

Calliphe was indeed wielding a switch.

However, contrary to expectations, the person being hit wasn’t a young child but a middle-aged noble man.

What in the world was going on? To the confused Marcel, Calliphe cheerfully smiled and greeted him.

“Oh my, hello Vice Archmage. Young Viscount is here too.”

Young Viscount stepped forward in place of the speechless Marcel.

“Lady Calliphe. Isn’t that person a teacher you employed?”

“You recognize him? That’s right.”

At her answer, the Young Viscount smiled as if dealing with a thoughtless child.

“To beat a noble with a title like a child… Even as Offensa’s direct descendant, there are things you shouldn’t do.”

His words made people see Calliphe as a reckless troublemaker.

“…The Young Viscount is right. This incident cannot be overlooked.”

Marcel, who had finally regained his senses, frowned.

“I’ll hear the circumstances from the noble there. Is that alright?”

“……”

Though Marcel asked, Viscount Colven couldn’t say anything.

He could only tremble, unable to raise his head from the public humiliation.

Calliphe stepped forward.

“I’ll tell you the circumstances.”

“No, Lady Calliphe—”

“Don’t worry. This is also that noble’s voice.”

“What?”

Calliphe pressed the button on the magical tool in her hand. Then, Viscount Colven’s voice played vividly from the device.

—Come on, quickly hand over what you brought. What did you bring this time? Lady Calliphe’s ring? Necklace?

—Um, there’s nothing!

—Stop talking back and give me what’s in your pocket!

“……!”

The function of the magical tool Calliphe was holding was ‘recording.’

As the content continued, shock appeared on the faces of those who understood the situation.

The conversation coming from the recording device was clear.

Despite being just an employed lower noble, he had manipulated a child to steal his employer’s valuables.

And not just once, but continuously stealing Calliphe Offensa’s belongings.

“This is an insult not just to me but to House Offensa.”

Actually, she didn’t care whether the family was insulted or not. But contrary to her true feelings, Calliphe glared as if genuinely angry.

Her fierce red eyes were so intense that even the Vice Archmage flinched.

“Who am I, Vice Archmage? I am Calliphe Offensa. The only direct descendant of House Offensa. Is there any problem with me beating such vermin a little?”

“V-vermin……”

Shocked by Calliphe’s word choice, the Vice Archmage held his forehead, seemingly dizzy.